Oratorical Contests Commission
“A Constitutional Speech Contest”
This video will be replaced with the Department of California video, once it is ready for publishing.
The American Legion High School Oratorical Contest is a program of The American Legion that gives high school students the opportunity to compete for college scholarships in a “Constitutional Speech Contest.”
Through their involvement, high school students cultivate their communication skills as they develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of the U.S. Constitution.
Participants also grow in leadership ability, their capacity to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and understanding of the rights, responsibilities, obligations and privileges of U.S. citizens.
Oratorical Program PowerPoint
Department Oratorical Contest
Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Location: Veterans Administration Hospital Fresno (Auditorium), 2615 E Clinton Ave, Fresno, CA
Oratorical Contest by Area
Area 1 – Northern California
- District 4: January 17, 2026 at 10 AM
Location: Veterans Memorial Center, 1425 Veterans Memorial Circle, Yuba City, CA - District 6: Saturday, February 7, 2026 – Location: TBD
- Area 1: Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 1 PM
Location: Folsom City Hall, Council Chambers, 50 Natoma Street, Folsom, CA 95630
Area 2 – SF Bay Area
- Area 2: Sunday, March 8, 2026 at 10 AM
Location: Mission City Post 564, 2120 Walsh Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95050
Area 3 – Central Valley
- Post 2: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Location: Fresno Veterans Home - Post 147: Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 11 AM
Location: Cecil Cox Post 147, 508 4th Street, Clovis, CA - District 14: Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 1 PM
Location: Fresno VA Hospital Auditorium - Area 3: Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 1 PM
Location: Modesto Veterans District, 3500 Coffee Road, Modesto, CA
Area 4 – South Central LA County
- TBD
Area 5 – Southern California
- Open Post-Level Contest: Sunday, January 11, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Location: Veterans Association of North County, 1617 W Mission Ave, Oceanside, CA 92058 - Post 149: Saturday, January 25, 2026 at 9 AM
Location: Post 149, 230 E Park Ave, Escondido, CA 92025 - District 22: Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Location: Post 149, 230 E Park Ave, Escondido, CA 92026 - District 25: TBD
Location: Post 155, 1401 Veterans Way, Colton, CA 92324 - Area 5: Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 1 PM
Location: Post 595, 600 S D St, Perris, CA 92570
Area 6 – Central Coast & Northern LA County
- Area 6: Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 11 AM
Location: Palisades Post 283, 15427 La Cruz Drive, Pacific Palisades, CA
California National
Oratorical Champions
- 2005 – Daniel Berring (CA)
- 1991 – Jack L. White (CA)
- 1969 – Benjamin G. Davidian (CA)
- 1965 – James F. Kay (CA)
- 1957 – Dan McCall (CA)
- 1955 – Michael Miller (CA)
- 1947 – Roy F. Greenaway (CA)
- 1946 – William O. Wollin (CA)
Department Bylaws
ORATORICAL CONTESTS: To promote Department Oratorical Contests at Post, District, and department levels and to conduct the department finals of such contests.
